As a deer cries for running streams, * so my soul cries for you, O God.

My soul is thirsty, God, * O living God.

When shall I begin * to drink in the presence of God?

    My tears have been my food * day and night,

    while I am told all day long, * “Where is your God?”

These things I shall remember, * and shall pour out my soul before him

when I cross the threshold, * and lie prostrate near the temple of God,

amid loud shouts of thanksgiving, * amid a crowd of pilgrims.

    Why are you sad, my soul? * Why do you sigh before me?

    Wait for God, * for still I shall praise him, * my Savior, my Presence and my God.

        So sad is my soul before me: * Supreme Being, I remember you

            from the Land of Descent with its nets, * from the bottom of a cliff.

            There deep-water calls to deep-water, * echoing your thunder,

        and all your waves and breakers * pass over me.

               Yahweh used to send me his kindness by day, * and his vision by night.

        I pray to my living God; * I say “El, my Rock,

            why have you forgotten me? * Why must I go in gloom

            because of harassment by the Foe, * because of the Killer in my bones.”

        My adversaries taunt me, * saying to me all day long, * “Where is your God?”

    Why are you sad, my soul? * Why do you sigh before me?

    Wait for God, * for still I shall praise him, * my Savior, my Presence and my God.

Psalm 43

To Sir 36

Defend me, God, * and plead my cause!

Deliver me from an ungodly nation, * from deceitful and dishonest men.

    For you are my Fortress-God, * why have you rejected me?

    Why must I go in gloom * because of harassment by the Foe?

        Send your light and your truth; * yes, let them lead me.

        Let them bring me to your holy mountain * and to your dwelling.

    Let me come to the altar of God, * to El, the joy of my life.

    Let me praise you with the lyre, * O God, my God!

Why are you so sad, my soul? * Why do you sigh before me?

Wait for God, * for still I shall praise him, * my Savior, my Presence and my God.